Oscar-nominated actress Keira Knightley has revealed she is "terrified but excited" about starting her first West End role.

The Teddington-born beauty (pictured in character) will portray a flirtatious Hollywood film star in the modern-day adaption of Moliere's 17th century masterpiece, The Misanthrope.

With rehearsals starting next month, Keira will begin treading the boards on December 7 alongside Band of Brothers actor Damian Lewis

Theatre is a life-long ambition for the British star, who is the daughter of award-winning playwright and Calendar Girls actor Will Knightley, and dramatist Sharman Macdonald.

"It's in my blood," she says.

The show's director Thea Sharrock has complete confidence in the 24-year-old.

"She's absolutely ready to come into this vulnerable position - and I'm interested in working with her, to push her in a way that I don't think she has been pushed before," says the director, who cast Daniel Radcliffe in Equus.